Brain tumour survivor Ieuan Hill, 12, plays in his cricket final after a bureaucratic backflip

A child cancer survivor has overcome a brain tumour battle and case of ‘bureaucracy gone mad’ to play in his junior cricket final.

Under-14 SECA grand final between Brighton Union and Ormond.Ieuan Hill in action for Brighton. Picture: Ian Currie

Having overcome a brain tumour battle and a case of “bureaucracy gone mad”, Ieuan Hill’s path to a junior cricket final was unlike most boys his age.

But on Friday night, he was able to relish in under 14s grand final fever much the same as his Brighton Union teammates.

Ieuan, 12, spent a month in intensive care after having a tumour removed from behind his eye socket.

He returned as a specialist fielder — not yet cleared by his neurosurgeon to bat or bowl — helping his side storm in the final.

Ieuan Hill was back in action for Brighton. Picture: Ian Currie.

But the South East Cricket Association kicked Brighton Union out of the final after deeming the club had cheated by allowing Ieuan, who played only four of five required games to qualify, to take to the field in the semi-final.

SECA reversed that decision following the Herald Sun’s coverage of the league’s heartbreaking move, paving the way for Ieuan to don his Stuart Broad-inspired wide brim hat in the decider against Ormond on Friday.

Fielding first, Ieuan was simply happy to be out there among his mates.

He was brought on for a two-over spell early in the innings, nearly claiming a wicket as his teammates jumped up in appeal for LBW.

The umpire didn’t agree, but that didn’t matter.

Considering the heights Ieuan overcame to be there, the sight of the inspiring youngster at the top of his mark packed as much power as the bowling of Stuart Broad himself

Earlier this week Hill was left heartbroken when his team was disqualified because he had not played enough matches.

SECA general manager Mark Rainey told the Herald Sun that, on reflection, the league’s original decision “didn’t pass the pub test”.

“The decision has been overturned and Brighton Union will be playing in the final,’’ he said.

Ieuan returned as a specialist fielder— not yet cleared to bat or bowl after his surgery. Picture: Ian Currie

Cricket Victoria chief executive Nick Cummins said he was pleased commonsense had prevailed.

“We’re pleased to see SECA reach an outcome that supports Ieuan’s successful return to cricket and what should be an exciting junior grand final,” he said.

“Ultimately, participation is the priority in junior cricket.”

Ieuan Hill recovered from a “golf ball-sized brain tumour” to return to the field with teammates only to see his squad banned from an under-14s cricket final in a case of “bureaucracy gone mad”.

Ieuan (centre) on-field with his teammates before being banned. Picture: Supplied

The 12-year-old missed part of the South East Cricket Association season after having a tumour removed from behind his eye socket.

After being given the all clear by his neurosurgeon, Ieuan stepped back to the crease for Brighton Union last week as his team defeated Hampton Central to book a place in this week’s final.

But, after receiving a complaint he had played only four of the five regular season games required to qualify for finals, the league kicked Ieuan’s team out of the premiership decider.

Dad Warren told the Herald Sun the league had followed “the letter of the law” rather than common sense.

“It absolutely is the definition of bureaucracy gone mad,” he said.

“It just sucks, it feels totally wrong. We’re talking about under-14 participation in sport – we’re not talking about Premier Cricket or state league.”

Ieuan played the opening matches of the season before being sidelined with what was first thought to be concussion and underwent emergency surgery in December when he became “really unwell”.

“They had to remove a four-inch golf ball-sized brain tumour from his head very unexpectedly,” Mr Hill said.

Ieuan bowling during a game. Picture: Supplied

“It was pretty full on, with all the associated risks you could imagine.”

After a month in intensive care, Mr Hill said his son “returned to being a boy” and in February was cleared to return to play by his specialist – albeit only as a fielder.

“So he very excitedly returned in the final week of the cricket season and participated in the final round through fielding only, as per instruction from the neurosurgeon,’’ Mr Hill said.

“To not bat or bowl because the exertion involved could trigger a reaction.

“And so for the past two weeks he was only able to field, which meant that from the rules of the game he didn’t participate because you only participate if you bat or bowl.’’

Ieuan returned to full action when his team won its semi-final but was subsequently told he was ineligible because he hadn’t “participated” in the preceding weeks.

“If we had known that it didn’t count, we could have applied for an exemption which SECA have said he would have got no problem. They would have happily granted it,” Mr Hill said.

“But we didn’t apply for it because we actually didn’t think we needed to.

“So they have absolutely, 100 per cent applied the letter of the law which wasn’t even queried until the opposition team coach decided to query whether he participated or not in the final round.”

Despite one of its members initially lodging the complaint, Hampton this week withdrew its protest and pulled out of Friday’s final in support of Ieuan.

The team had been promoted to the final after Brighton’s suspension.

The league on Wednesday refused to revisit the ban.

Mr Hill said a legal challenge had been explored but “the rules are the rules, which sucks and does my head in”.

“It’s been a nightmare to be honest,” he said.

Originally published as Brain tumour survivor Ieuan Hill, 12, plays in his cricket final after a bureaucratic backflip